The NewsRoom
Release:
#3560
Date: September 29, 2006
MMS Announces Availability of
Coastal Impact Assistance Program Guidelines
Six States May Share $250 Million in
Each Fiscal Year 2007 Through 2010
WASHINGTON – The
Minerals Management Service (MMS) today announced in the
Federal Register the availability of Coastal Impact
Assistance Program (CIAP) Guidelines. The agency has
provided the CIAP Guidelines to Governors and CIAP
coordinators for the states of Alaska, California, Texas,
Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. The guidelines are
posted online at
www.mms.gov/offshore/CIAPmain.htm.
The CIAP was established under section 384 of the Energy
Policy Act of 2005 (EPACT) and authorizes the Secretary of
the Interior, as delegated to the MMS to distribute $250
million annually to these six outer continental shelf (OCS)
oil and gas producing states in fiscal years 2007 through
2010. The EPACT requires that all CIAP funding be used for
projects and activities for the conservation, protection, or
restoration of coastal areas, including wetland; mitigation
of damage to fish, wildlife, or natural resources; planning
assistance and the administrative costs of complying with
CIAP legislation; implementation of a federally-approved
marine, coastal, or comprehensive conservation management
plan; or mitigation of the impact of outer Continental Shelf
activities through funding of onshore infrastructure
projects and public service needs. The funds will be
allocated to each producing state and eligible coastal
subdivision (such as counties, parishes or boroughs) based
upon allocation formulas prescribed by the Act. All funds
will be disbursed through a grant process.
“We encourage eligible States
to apply for and make full use of the CIAP funds,” said MMS
Director Johnnie Burton. “These funds can be applied to
projects and activities for the conservation, protection, or
restoration of coastal and wetland areas as well as
mitigation of damage to fish, wildlife, or natural resources
from human or natural impacts.”
In order to receive CIAP funds, states are required to
submit a coastal impact assistance plan. States may begin
submitting plans with the issuance of these guidelines, and
plans must be submitted no later than July 1, 2008. MMS must
approve the State Plan before funds can be disbursed. In
addition, states are required to submit individual grant
applications as required and governed by DOI’s grant
regulation. The CIAP Guidelines have been developed by the
MMS in conjunction with the affected states to provide the
information necessary for states to develop and submit their
plans.
On March 7, 2006, the MMS
sent Draft CIAP Guidelines to each of the six states and
requested their written comments by April 27, 2006. The MMS
then held a two-day workshop with State and coastal
political subdivision representatives to discuss the draft
guidelines and evaluate the written responses in Reston,
Virginia July 17-18, 2006.
Relevant Web Site:
MMS Main Website
Media Contact:
Nicolette Nye
703/787-1011
MMS: Securing Ocean
Energy & Economic Value for America U.S. Department
of the Interior
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